BUSCH GARDENS TURNS UP THE HEAT THIS SUMMER WITH ALL-NEW ENTERTAINMENT, DRONE SHOWS, THRILLING EXPERIENCES, AND FREE BEER*

Rhea-AI Summary

Busch Gardens (NYSE:PRKS) announced expanded 2026 summer offerings at Tampa Bay and Williamsburg, featuring new shows, drone spectaculars, animal habitats, festivals and seasonal promotions.

Highlights include savings of up to 55% during a Memorial Day Sale, all-new entertainment, America's 250th celebrations, Bier Fest events and limited-time free beer* for eligible guests.

News Market Reaction – PRKS

-0.69%

-0.69% Session close to close

In the May 20 session, PRKS declined 0.69%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement expands Busch Gardens’ summer slate with new drone shows, animal habitats and ente...

Analysis

This announcement expands Busch Gardens’ summer slate with new drone shows, animal habitats and entertainment across Tampa Bay and Williamsburg, plus promotional offers like savings of up to 55% and limited-time free beer. Historically, PRKS has seen modest positive moves on similar attraction and military-themed announcements, while weaker earnings triggered sharper downside. Investors may watch how these initiatives influence attendance, in-park spending and the stock’s position relative to its 200-day moving average and 52-week range.

Key Figures

Memorial Day Sale savings: up to 55% Wild Skies drone count: 400 drones Summer Nights dates: May 22 – Aug. 9 +5 more

8 metrics

Memorial Day Sale savings up to 55% Seasonal offers on tickets, Fun Cards, Annual Passes and Memberships

Wild Skies drone count 400 drones Synchronized drone and fireworks show at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Summer Nights dates May 22 – Aug. 9 Extended-hours Summer Nights event at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Lion count 5 young male lions Lion and Hyena Ridge habitat at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Hyena count 2 hyenas Lion and Hyena Ridge habitat at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Viewing angle 270-degree viewing Lion and Hyena Ridge guest viewing areas

International flavors more than 135 Food & Wine Festival at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Free Beer dates May 22 – Aug. 9 / June 22 – July 30 Free beer offers for eligible guests at both Busch Gardens parks

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: May 18 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
May 18	Rescue milestone	Positive	+0.1%	SeaWorld surpassing 43,000 animal rescues highlighted conservation credentials.
May 11	Q1 2026 earnings	Negative	-6.9%	Softer attendance, revenue decline and wider net loss in seasonally weak quarter.
May 07	Summer lineup launch	Positive	+3.6%	Coast-to-coast SeaWorld Summer Spectacular with drone shows and new attractions.
Apr 28	Busch military offer	Positive	+0.3%	Free admission and discounts for U.S. military veterans and families at Busch Gardens.
Apr 28	SeaWorld military offer	Positive	+0.3%	Complimentary admission and discounts for veterans at SeaWorld parks nationwide.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Across recent Busch Gardens/SeaWorld promotions and military initiatives, PRKS has typically seen small positive moves, with a larger downside reaction reserved for weaker earnings.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, PRKS has highlighted community and guest-focused initiatives alongside mixed financial results. A May 11 earnings release showed lower attendance and revenue, driving a -6.86% move. In contrast, summer lineup announcements on May 7 produced a 3.64% gain, while military appreciation offers and rescue milestones on April 28 and May 18 saw modest upticks. Today’s Busch Gardens summer promotion continues this focus on attractions and seasonal events within a stock still trading well below its 52-week high.

Key Terms

drone shows, drone show, drop-track roller coaster

3 terms

drone shows technical

"unveiled their exciting summer lineups packed with immersive entertainment, electrifying drone shows"

Drone shows are coordinated light displays created by fleets of small, unmanned aircraft that fly programmed patterns to form shapes, text or animations over an audience. For investors, they matter because they represent a growing revenue and marketing channel for events and advertising while carrying measurable costs, regulatory hurdles and operational risks—think of them as a high-tech replacement for fireworks that can boost sales and brand exposure but require ongoing investment and permits.

drone show technical

"All-New Wild Skies Drone Show & Fireworks Spectacular featuring 400 synchronized drones"

A drone show is a coordinated performance using many small unmanned aircraft equipped with lights or displays to create images, patterns and motion in the sky, similar to a digital fireworks display made of tiny robots. Investors care because these shows are a commercial product that can generate event revenue, drive brand exposure, and reveal a company’s technical capabilities, supply chains and regulatory compliance — factors that affect sales, margins and growth prospects.

drop-track roller coaster technical

"Verbolten: Forbidden Turn features an exciting new storyline... the Mid-Atlantic's first drop-track roller coaster"

A drop-track roller coaster is an amusement-park ride where a section of the running track itself suddenly falls vertically, carrying riders straight down for a brief free-fall sensation before the coaster continues. For investors, it matters because such signature attractions can boost ticket sales and guest spend, require significant capital and specialized maintenance, and carry safety and regulatory considerations that can affect operating costs and public perception.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Williamsburg Kick Off Summer with Incredible Family Fun and the Best Deals of the Season During the Memorial Day Sale Happening Now!

TAMPA, Fla. and WILLIAMSBURG, Va., May 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer is bigger and more thrilling than ever at Busch Gardens parks. Both Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Williamsburg today unveiled their exciting summer lineups packed with immersive entertainment, electrifying drone shows, world-class thrills, seasonal festivals, complimentary beer and unforgettable family fun.

Guests can also take advantage of limited-time Memorial Day Sale offers with savings of up to 55% on tickets, Fun Cards, Annual Passes and Memberships.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Summer Nights Bigger Than Ever
Summer Nights returns to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay nightly from May 22 – Aug. 9 with extended park hours, thrilling nighttime rides and all-new entertainment experiences.

Highlights include:

• All-New Wild Skies Drone Show & Fireworks Spectacular featuring 400 synchronized drones and fireworks during two all-new nighttime spectaculars Fridays – Sundays throughout the summer.
  
  
• All-New Lion and Hyena Ridge, the park's largest and most immersive animal habitat in more than a decade, features five young male lions and a pair of hyenas with expansive 270-degree viewing areas, water features and elevated rocky lookouts.
  
  
• All-New Beach Bash show filled with retro high energy in Gwazi Plaza and the return of the energetic Boom Box Dance Party in Stanleyville.
  
  
• Returning fan-favorite indoor shows to beat the heat including Cirque Electric, Animal Tales, Icons and Rhythm of Nature.
  
  
• The return of Free Beer* for guests 21+ at the Serengeti Overlook restaurant from May 22 – Aug. 9.

From May 22 – July 5, America's 250^th Celebration at Busch Gardens offers all-American excitement throughout the park; including special military appreciation offerings, patriotic merchandise and festive summer treats. To cap it off, a dazzling patriotic-themed drone show will captivate audiences.

Military Appreciation Weekend takes place on Memorial Day Weekend, May 22 – 25 featuring patriotic entertainment, a Field of Flags display, military recognition experiences and special offers for active-duty service members and veterans.

Pass Members will also enjoy an exclusive Pass Member Appreciation Weekend May 30 – 31 with early ride time, special events, animal encounters and exclusive perks.

Guests can continue the summer celebration during Bier Fest Brews & BBQ, weekends from July 24 – Aug. 30, featuring seasonal brews, beer-inspired BBQ dishes and live entertainment.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Summer at the World's Most Beautiful Theme Park
Busch Gardens Williamsburg, the world's most beautiful theme park, continues its popular Food & Wine Festival Thursdays to Sundays through June 21, plus Memorial Day, featuring more than 135 international flavors and headlining concerts from artists including Hoobastank and Skillet.

Later in June, the park debuts an immersive summer lineup with the return of Summer of Wonder beginning June 26 – July 30, alongside new thrills, award-winning shows and nighttime entertainment.

Highlights include:

• All-New Verbolten: Forbidden Turn features an exciting new storyline, immersive effects and thrilling surprises aboard the Mid-Atlantic's first drop-track roller coaster, opening May 30.
  
  
• All-New electrifying drone show celebrates the uniqueness and beauty of Busch Gardens.
  
  
• All-New Across the Pond: Legends of the UK, a dynamic show featuring legendary sounds from British icons like The Beatles, Elton John and Queen.
  
  
• All-New Kinetix: The Next Generation offers a unique live experience combining powerhouse vocalists and a world-class roster of acrobats, aerialists and more.
  
  
• The return of Free Beer* offerings for Members, Annual Pass Holders and Military Pass Holders from June 22 – July 30.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg will also honor America's 250th Celebration from June 29 – July 5 with patriotic entertainment, specialty food and beverage offerings, fireworks on July 4 and Military Appreciation Week festivities recognizing those who serve and have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Bier Fest Brews & BBQ returns weekends from July 31 – Sept. 7 with seasonal brews, new beer-inspired culinary creations and festive entertainment.

The Best Way to Experience Summer
Annual Passes and Memberships offer the best value for guests looking to experience all the summer excitement with unlimited visits, free parking, exclusive discounts, special rewards and access to seasonal events throughout the year.

For more information and the latest summer offers, visit: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Williamsburg.  Follow along on social media for the latest summer announcements and event details: @BuschGardens and @BuschGardensVA.

*Beer offerings and promotional details vary by park and are subject to change.

About Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens^® Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure, offering 300 acres of fascinating attractions based on exotic explorations around the world. Busch Gardens is a unique blend of thrilling rides, an AZA accredited zoo with over 16,000 animals representing more than 200 species, and exciting seasonal events all year providing unrivaled experiences for guests of every age. For more information, visit 
BuschGardensTampa.com. Busch Gardens is owned by United Parks & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: PRKS), a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world.

About Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Recognized by the National Amusement Park Historical Association as the Most Beautiful Park for 35 consecutive years, Busch Gardens® Williamsburg is a European-themed adventure park combining 17^th-century charm with 21^st-century thrills, featuring more than 50 rides and attractions, world-class coasters, and year-round events. Busch Gardens is a part of United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: PRKS). Learn more at UnitedParks.com.

Media Contact:
Busch Gardens Tampa: BGTPublic.Relations@BuschGardens.com 
Busch Gardens Williamsburg: BuschGardensWilliamsburg.PR@BuschGardens.com

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SOURCE Busch Gardens Parks

FAQ

What are the key 2026 summer events at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (NYSE:PRKS)?

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay hosts Summer Nights May 22–Aug. 9 with extended hours, new Wild Skies drone and fireworks shows, Lion and Hyena Ridge habitat, indoor shows, Bier Fest Brews & BBQ weekends July 24–Aug. 30 and limited-time free beer*, according to Busch Gardens.

What new attractions are coming to Busch Gardens Williamsburg in summer 2026 for PRKS investors to know?

Busch Gardens Williamsburg debuts Verbolten: Forbidden Turn May 30, a new drone show, Across the Pond: Legends of the UK, and Kinetix: The Next Generation, plus Summer of Wonder June 26–July 30 and returning Bier Fest, according to Busch Gardens.

When does Busch Gardens offer free beer* in summer 2026 and who is eligible?

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers free beer* for guests 21+ at Serengeti Overlook May 22–Aug. 9. Williamsburg provides free beer* June 22–July 30 for Members, Annual Pass Holders and Military Pass Holders, according to Busch Gardens; offerings are subject to change.

What is the Memorial Day Sale at Busch Gardens parks and how much can visitors save?

Busch Gardens is running a Memorial Day Sale with savings of up to 55% on tickets, Fun Cards, Annual Passes and Memberships for Tampa Bay and Williamsburg visitors, according to Busch Gardens, positioning summer as a value-focused time to visit the parks.

How are Busch Gardens parks celebrating America's 250th in 2026?

From May 22–July 5 in Tampa Bay and June 29–July 5 in Williamsburg, Busch Gardens honors America's 250th with patriotic entertainment, specialty food, merchandise, military appreciation offerings and drone or fireworks shows around July 4, according to Busch Gardens.

Why might Annual Passes and Memberships be attractive for Busch Gardens (PRKS) guests this summer?

Annual Passes and Memberships offer unlimited visits, free parking, exclusive discounts, special rewards and access to seasonal events like Food & Wine, Summer Nights, Summer of Wonder and Bier Fest, according to Busch Gardens, supporting repeat visitation throughout the year.